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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


INJUKIES  AND  LOSS  OF  LIFE  AND  PKOPEETY  ALLEGED 
TO  HAVE  BEEN  CAUSED  BY  THE  USE  OF  KERO- 
SENE, IN  MICHIGAN,  DURING  THE  YEAR 
ENDING  DECEMBER  31,  1890. 


f Reprinted  from  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Michigan  State  Board  of  Health  for  the  year  1891.] 

[Reprint  No.  385.] 

Continuing  a practice  pursued  in  previous  years,  the  office  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  State  Board  of  Health,  has,  during  the  year  1890,* sought  to 
obtain  information  relative  to  each  casualty,  alleged  to  have  been  caused 
by  the  use  of  kerosene,  which  came  to  the  notice  of  said  office. 

The  principal  sources  from  which  this  office  obtains  facts  in  regard  to 
such  casualties  as  above  mentioned,  are  four,  viz.:  from  reports  by  the 
Fire  Marshal  of  Detroit,  State  Inspectors  of  Illuminating  Oils,  Local 
Health  Officers,  and  from  newspaper  reports.  The  data  collected  from 
these  sources,  show  that  during  the  year  1890,  information  was  received  at 
this  office,  of  the  occurrence  of  55  casualties  consequent  on  the  use  of 
kerosene  in  Michigan.  These  casualties  were  reported  to  have  occurred 
in  18  localities,  causing  loss  of  two  lives,  injury  (non-fatal),  to  3 persons, 
and  damage  to  property  to  the  amount  of  $18,282.00. 

This  reported  damage,  does  not  include  all  the  actual  pecuniary  loss 
occasioned  by  the  above  mentioned  casualties,  because  in  very  many 
instances  where  houses,  barns,  and  other  property  were  destroyed,  the  loss 
was  not  reported. 

The  following  tables  and  extracts  from  correspondence,  show  the  locali- 
ties in  which  the  alleged  casualties  occurred,  the  nature  of  each  casualty, 
the  damage  caused  thereby,  and  whatever  other  details  in  regard  to  them 
this  office  has  been  able  to  collect. 

Throughout  the  year  1890,  the  legal  test  for  illuminating  oil  in  Michigan 
was  a “flash”  test  at  one  hundred  and  twenty  degrees  Fah.  in  a closed 
tester,  approved  by  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

TABLE  1. — Casualties  in  Michigan  during  the  year  1890,  believed  to  have  been  conse- 
quent on  the  use  of  Kerosene,  information  of  which  was  received  at  the  Office  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Health.  In  this  year  the  legal  test  ivas  a Flash 
Test  at  120  degrees  Fah.,  in  a closed  tester. 


1 

i 

Number  of 
Casualties. 

Number  of 
Localities. 

Pecuniary 

losses. 

Dollars. 

Lives  lost. 

• Persons 
injured 
(not 
fatally) . 

In  Detroit 

In  state  ('outside  Detroit) 

43 

12 

12 

$18,282 

Not  reported. 

0 

0 

3 

I Totals 

55 

13 

$18,282 

2 

3 

1 

34 


2^6  STATIC]  }iOARl)  OF  nFALTJI.— RFFORT  OF  SF30RFTARY,  1801. 


lAst  of  Casualties  Consequent  on  the  use  of  Ker'osene,  in  Detroit,  Calendar  Year,  tHUo. 
( SuiqAied  by  William  H.  Baxter,  Fire  Marshal  in,  Detroit.) 


Date. 

Street  and  Number. 

Nature  of  Casualty. 

Amount 

of 

Damage, 

70  Macomb 

Overtiowing  lamp 

.Jan.  5 

15.0  Napoleon 

Ijamp  exulosion  

$48.1KJ 

14  Locust 

Lamp  explosion 

81-82  (’roghan 

Overheated  stove  

265.00 

Keb.  28 

252  First  

Lamp  exfiiosion  . 

839.00 

Mar.  8 

09  Monroe 

Stove  explosion .....  . 

15,00 

198  Seventeenth 

Lamp  explosion 

1.50.00 

Apr.  10. 

181  River 

Stove  explosion..  

90.00 

202  ('ass .. 

Lamp  explosion 

50.00 

Apr.  18 

1429  Michigan .. 

Falling  of  lamp ... 

117  St.  Joseph 

Falling  of  lamp  _ 

.500.00 

80^2  Park 

Stove  explosion  ... 

.50.00 

May  18- 

88  Myrtle 

Stove  explosion . 

400,00 

M ay  2.0 

10  Thirty-second.  

Lamp  explosion 

745.00 

i 

June  2 

68  Baltimore  E ..  ...  .. 

! Lamp  explosion 

June  9 

33-35  Galbert 

Lamp  explosion 

686.00 

1 

t 

J .lune  19 

3,58  Riopelle 

1 Stove  explosion 

; June  24. 

282  Orleans 

' Lamp  explosion 

900.00 

! July  19 

230  Houmboldt 

Leaking  stove 

' .July  20 

260  Bagg 

Lamp  explosion. 

280.00 

' July  21 .... 

' July  28 

372  Townsend . 

Lamp  explosion. 

1,496.00 

634.00 

687  Clinton... 

Overflowing  stove 

Au«.  10. 

.531  Sixth 

Lamp  explosion. ... 

' Auk-  ^2 

25  Monroe 

Falling  of  lamp 

^ Autr.  2ft. 

192  Waterloo  .. 

Careless  use  of  lamp 

Kept.  2 

41  Beech.. 

Overflowing  stove 

Set)t.  20. 

280  Williams 

Careless  use  of  lamp 

1 Sefjt.  24 

^ Ser>t.  2.’) 

Hef>t.  20 

45  Adams  E. 

Lamp  held  too  close  to  clothing 

1,049.00 

865.00 

287  Clinton 

Stove  explosion 

25  (Jen ter. 

Ijighting  lire  with  oil  . 

Oct.  (5  

Steam  barge  in  river 

liarnp  explosion. 

6,112.00 

1 Oct.  11  

115  I’welfth 

(kireless  use  of  lamp  

10.00 

Oct.  i:, 

154  Mui)le  

Overflowing  stove 

15,00 

Nov.  2 

57  Wilcox  

Stiove  upset 

28.00 

.Nov.  .'i 

221  Montcalm  hi. 

Lamp  hold  too  close  to  clothing 

Lamp  too  close  to  ceiling 

25.  (H) 

,Nov.  II 

2.52  Croghan  . 

33.00 

Nov,  l.'i 

Ml.  lOllioll 

Ijiiruf)  tivo  close  1,0  clothiiur  . 

Doc.  8 . 1 

178  High  10. 

Htovo  uirnot 

-'n'>  O'"' 

i 

Injuries  and  losses  by  kerosene  in  Michigan  in  i89o.  ‘26? 


Lifit  of  Casualties  Consequent  on  the  Use  of  Kerosene  in  Detroit. — Continued. 


Date. 

Street  and  Number. 

Nature  of  Casualty. 

Amount 

of 

Damage. 

Dec.  22... 

59  .Jos.  Campau 

Lamp  set  fire  to  clothing  . 

200.00 

i Dec.  24 

441  Hastings 

Lamp  explosion.  

400.00 

Dec.  24 

368  Seventh ...  . ..  

Lamp  tipped  over  . 

Dec.  2.5 

277  Michigan 

Tjamp  explosion 

381.00 

Dec.  29 

56  Montcalm  W. 

Tjamp  tipped  over 

5.00 

List  of  Casualties  consequent  on  the  use  of  Keroseyie  in  Michigan  {outside  the  city  of 

Detroit).,  calendar  year  1890.'^ 


1 

1 Date. 

I 

1 

Locality. 

i 

Nature  of  casualty  and  resultant  damage. 

! 

! 

1 Jan.  7. 

1 Manistee  city 

Lamp  explosion  which  caused  destruction  of  a furniture  factory, 
and  death  of  one  man,  fatally  burned. 

Fire  caused  by  lamp  explosion.  Small  house  burned. 

Lamp  explosion  causing  a paper  mill  to  be  burned. 

• 

Lamp  explosion  causing  a house  to  be  burned. 

Mar.  3. 

Bay  City  

May  18. 

1 Flint  city... 

1 

j Aug.  3. 

Eagle  township 

Nov.  21. 

r 

Sturgis  village 

Ossineke  township 

Fire  caused  by  a woman  attempting  to  build  a fire  in  stove  with 
kerosene.  One  child  fatally,  and  one  man  and  one  woman  seri- 
ously, burned. 

Fire  caused  by  lamp  being  upset  and  broken,  on  a haymow. 

d ! 

Franklin  township 

Fire  cause  by  overturned  lamp. 

.> 

‘Si  j 

Grand  Ledge  village 

Fire  caused  by  the  explosion  of  kerosene  lamp. 

0)  i 

Grand  Haven  township.. 

Fire  caused  by  lamp  explosion. 

1c  1 
T3 

Q 

Novi  township..  

Fire  caused  by  tipping  over  a lantern. 

^ 1 

Vassar  village 

Fire  caused  by  overturning  of  lamp  by  a cat. 

1 

(Jrosswell  village  .,. 

Fire  caused  by  explosion  of  a lamp. 

* The  data  on  which  this  list  is  based  were  obtained  from  reports  of  local  health  officers,  deputy  oil 
inspectors,  and  newspapers. 


The  foregoing  lists  show  that  of  the  55  casualties  therein  mentioned,  22 
were  reported  to  have  been  caused  by  lamp  explosions,  18  by  careless 
handling  of  lamps,  6 by  stove  explosions,  7 by  careless  use  of  kerosene  in 
stoves,  and  2 by  attempts  to  light  fires  with  kerosene. 

A Man  Fatally  Burned  at  Manistee  City. 

Tlie  “State  Republican”  of  Jan.  7,  1890,  contained  the  following  para- 
graph; 

“ Manistee,  Mich.,  Jan.  7. — The  Filer  town  manufacturing  company’s  furniture  works  here  were  com- 
pletely destroyed  by  fire  yesterday,  and  one  man  burned  to  death. 

“ The  fire  was  caused  by  the  explosion  of  a kerosene  lamp  used  by  William  Chambers,  who  worked  in 
the  finishing  department.  He  was  anxions  to  begin  work  before  daylight  and  had  brought  the  lamp  to 
the  works,  where,  on  attempting  to  light  it,  an  explosion  occurred,  and  almost  instantly  the  varnish,  the 
man’s  clothing  and  the  factory  were  on  fire.  The  unfortunate  man  was  burned  to  death  on  the  spot,  and 
the  other  workmen  barely  escaped  with  their  lives.  The  building  was  entirely  destroyed,  but  was  well 
insured.’’ 


‘^68  STATE  BOARD  OF  HEA  LTH. -REPORT  OF  SECRETARY.  181)1 


Fire  nf  Bay  City  Canned  by  a Lamp  Explosion. 

In  regard  to  this  casualty,  Richard  Ferris,  Deputy  Oil  Inspector,  wrote 
March  15,  1890,  to  Hon.  H.  D.  Platt,  State  Oil  Inspector,  as  follows: 

“ Enclosed  find  statement  made  by  Lawrence  Cramer  in  regard  to  hie  house  burning.  He  says:  His 
child  was  sick,  and  got  up  about  4:30  A.  M.,  and  was  in  an  adjoining  room;  smelt  smoke  or  something  to 
that  effect,  and  when  he  went  to  the  kitchen  found  it  in  flames.  Does  not  know  how  the  fire  originated 
but  thought  it  must  have  been  caused  by  lamp  in  some  way.  Does  not  think  it  was  on  account  of  tlw 
oil.  Says  he  has  used  same  kind  for  some  time  prior  to  fire  and  is  still  using  it.” 

The  following,  relative  to  this  casualty,  is  from  the  “ Detroit  Journal  ” 
of  March  II,  1890: 

” A lamp  exploded  in  Lawrence  Cramer’s  house.  Hay  City,  yesterday,  and  the  building  burned.  The 
l^ss  was  small,  but  it  falls  heavily  upon  a poor  man.” 

Lamp  Explosion  at  Flint  Alleged  Cause  of  Fire  m Paper  Mill. 

Geo.  H.  Turner.  Deputy  Oil  Inspector,  wrote  to  Hon.  H.  D.  Platt,  May 
19,  1890,  relative  to  this  casualty,  as  follows: 

” Yesterday  morning,  2 A.  M.,  Hon.  F.  R.  Lewis  had  the  misfortune  to  have  his  paper  mill  burned,  or 
partially  so.  It  w’as  caused  by  an  explosion  of  a lamp  cr  torch.  The  night  watchman,  it  seems,  after 
having  made  his  rounds,  came  in  the  building  quite  cold,  placed  his  torch  on  the  wall  (brick)  burning, 
and  he  thought  he  would  warm  himself,  and  in  doing  so  his  lamp  exploded,  and  before  he  could  commu- 
nicate the  alarm  to  the  water  works,  in  order  to  have  them  sound  the  fire  alarm,  the  building  burned,  or 
nearly  so.  I made  an  examination  or  (test).  1 found  the  oil  stood  126  degrees. 

“ It  is  conjectured  that  the  wick  in  the  lamp  was  burned  down  so  low  it  caused  gas  to  accumulate  in 
the  lamp  which  created  the  explosion.” 

Fire  in  Eagle  Township  Caused  by  Lamp  Explosion. 

The  “ Detroit  Eveuing  News”  of  Aug.  5,  1890,  contained  the  following: 

“ Robert  Patrick’s  house,  near  Portland,  was  burned  to  the  ground  by  the  explosion  of  a lamp,  and  the 
family  barely  escaped  with  their  lives.  Nothing  was  saved  and  considerable  cash  was  lost.” 

August  12,  1890,  E.  T.  Yeomans,  Deputy  Oil  Inspector,  reporting  to 
Hon.  H.  D.  Platt  relative  to  this  casualty,  wrote: 

” lu  obedience  to  your  instructions,  received  Aug.  11, 1 have  today  been  to  the  locality  of  the  Patrick 
fire.  The  farm  is  six  miles  east  of  Portland,  in  the  township  of  Eagle,  Clinton  county. 

“ Mr.  Robert  Patrick  is  the  oOjly  witness  of  the  origin  of  the  fire.  Sunday  morning  about  one  o’clock, 
Aug.  3,  Mr.  I’atrick,  feeling  unwell  arose  to  take  some  medicine.  The  lamp  which  he  lighted  had  a larg  > 
glass  fount,  holding  about  three  pints,  and  was  not  much  if  any  more  than  half  full  of  oil.  It  hatl  not 
been  refilled  during  the  summer. 

‘‘  After  lighting  the  hunp,  Mr.  Patrick  left  or  placed  it  on  a shelf  close  to  a partly  open  window’. 

“ lie  I lien  went  to  a table  on  the  ojiposite  side  of  t he  room  to  prepare  and  take  some  medicine. 

•‘'I’he  room  becoming  suddenly  <hirl<,  he  thought  the  wind  had  blown  out  the  lamp.  He  started  to  get  a 
midi'h  fiom  the  next,  room,  but  had  oidy  reached  the  door  when  the  (explosion  occurred,  throwing  fire  till 
over  t he  room  behiml  him. 

••  Closing  the  iloor  to  the  Imrning  room  he  aroustui  his  family  but  had  scarcely  time  to  get  them  out 
before  I he  entire  building  w»ts  in  llames.  Mr.  Patrick  Ihiidtstliat  the  wind  blew  the  bhizo  down  into  the 
oil  chamber,  lie  stiys  no  lamp  IiimI  been  used  in  the  house  during  the  summer,  only  mornings  he  had  used 
Ueroseiie  to  light  the  kitchen  lire. 

•‘Mr,  I*,  ihitiks  about  liv(»  minutes  intervimed  between  the  lighting  of  the  lamp  and  t he  exphision.  So 
long  a time  hud  elupH4sl  since  the  lamp  was  last  idled  that  no  one  could  tell  where  tlie  oil  was  purchased, 
whether  at  lOagle  (a  small  station  on  the  I).  L.  A N.  R.  It.)  oral  Portland.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  the 


INJURIES  AND  LOSSES  BY  GASOLINE  IN  MICHIGAN  IN  1890.  269 


lamp  was  left  where  it  was  pretty  sore  to  be  at  least  blown  out,  instead  of  on  the  table  where  it  would 
seem  to  have  been  indispensable  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  lighted. 

“The  house  did  not  belong  to  Mr.  Patrick;  an  insurance  of  $500  on  the  contents  in  favor  of  Mrs.  P.  is 
believed  to  fully  cover  her  interest.” 

A Child  Fatally,  and  a Man  and  a Woman  Seriously  Burned  at  Sturgis. 

The  following  paragraph  appeared  in  the  “Detroit  Evening  News”  of 
Nov.  21,  1890: 

“ Sturgis,  Mich.,  Nov.  21.— Mrs.  Charles  Maak  attempted  to  build  a fire  with  kerosene  last  evening.  She 
did  not  know  live  coals  were  in  the  stove  and  a blaze  was  started  in  the  oil  in  the  can.  It  exploded  and 
she  and  a 3-year  old  daughter  were  fearfully  burned.  Mr.  Maak’s  body  was  burned  in  trying  to  put  out 
the  tire.  The  child  may  die  from  inhalin'g  the  flames.” 

Samuel  B.  Follett,  M.  D.,  health  officer  of  the  village  of  KSturgis,  having 
been  written  to  from  this  office  for  information  concerning  this  casualty, 
wrote  Nov.  24,  1890,  on  this  subject,  as  follows: 

“ In  regard  to  the  inquiry  herewith  enclosed,  I can  say  that  Mrs.  Maak  on  the  evening  of  Nov.  20,  in 
attempting  to  start  a fire  in  her  cook  stove  (wood)  used  kerosene  oil.  There  had  been  a fire  in  the  stove 
the  fore  part  of  the  day  and  had  gone  out.  She  placed  kindling  in  the  stove  and  then  in  attempting  to 
pour  kerosene  from  the  can  on  the  kindling  a blaze  and  explosion  followed  almost  instantaneously. 
There  was  but  very  little  kerosene  in  the  can,  probably  full  of  gas,  at  the  time  of  the  explosion.  The  can 
was  torn  to  pieces  from  the  explosion  and  the  contents  thrown  upon  the  hands  and  arms  of  Mrs.  Maak 
and  upon  the  head  and  shoulders  of  the  3-year  old  child  near  Mrs.  M.  at  the  time.  The  child  was  fa:tally 
burned  about  the  head  and  died  on  the  morning  of  Nov.  22,  about  40  hours  after  the  accident.  Mrs.  M., 
seriously  burned  on  the  hands,  arms  and  body  will  probably  recover.  In  attempting  the  rescue  of  wife 
and  child,  Mr.  M.  was  also  seriously  burned  on  the  hands  and  arms.” 


INJURIES  AND  LOSS  OF  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY  ALLEGED 
TO  HAVE  BEEN  CAUSED  FROM  THE  USE  OF 
GASOLINE  IN  MICHIGAN  IN  1890. 

In  1890,  as  in  former  years,  an  effort  was  made,  at  tlie  office  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  State  Board  of  Health,  to  collect  facts  respecting  every 
casualty  attributed  to  the  use  of  gasoline,  in  Michigan,  which  came  to 
notice.  During  the  year  there  were  received  at  the  office  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Board  reports  of  23  casualties  in  different  parts  of  the  State, 
alleged  to  have  been  caused  by  gasoline,  with  attendant  losses  of  life  and 
property  and  personal  injury,  as  follows:  Persons  fatally  burned,  3;  per- 
sons badly,  but  not  fatally,  burned,  2;  damage  to  property,  $8,395.00. 

Of  these  23  casualties  reported,  there  occurred  in  the  city  of  Detroit  20 
casualties  with  loss  of  property  amounting  to  $3,395.00;  in  the  city  of  Kal- 
amazoo, 1 casualty  with  one  woman  fatally,  and  another  woman  seriously 
burned;  in  the  city  of  Owosso,  1 casualty,  with  one  man  fatally  burned, 
and  an  estimated  damage  to  property  of  $5,000.00;  at  Weston,  Lenawee 
county,  one  woman  fatally,  and  one  man  badly  burned. 

The  following  list  of  casualties  in  Detroit,  and  extracts  from  communi- 
cations received  from  correspondents,  together  with  clippings  from  news- 
papers, give  what  details  we  have  in  regard  to  the  above-mentioned 
casualties: 


270  STATE  HOARD  IlEADTH.  -REPORT  OE  SEORE/I'ARV,  IH'J] 


Lini  of  C<(fiiialties  Consequent  on  the  Use  of  Gasoline  in  Detroit.  Calendar  year,  ISOo. 
{Supplied  by  William  If.  Baxter,  Fire  ^Marshal  in  Detroit.} 


Date. 

Street  and  No. 

Nature  of  casualty. 

Amount 

of 

damage. 

•January  12 

312  Twelfth 

Ijeakiug  stove 

.January  29  . . 

Man  carried  a pail  of  gasoline  near  a light 

Overflowing  stove 

$150.('0 

137.60 

1,360  00 

January  30 

.'58  Cadillac  Square 

March  27 

240-242  (jriitiot 

Torch  explosion 

April  20 

May  29 

Jane  14 

426  Congress 

3 1 .5  ‘/2^1ich  igan 

152  Theodore  

Careless  handling  of  vessel  containing  gaso- 
line   

Stove  overflowed  ......  

Stove  explosion 

1,000.60 

378.00 

June  2? 

June  27 

233  Second 

Overflowimr  stove 

75  .Joy..  

Overflowing  stove ..  

June  30. 

July  1..  .. 

197  Porter... 

Overflowing  stove 

39  Milwaukee  E 

Overflowing  stove. 

July,  2 

315  Michigan..  ..  

Overflowing  stove. 

July  7 

.50  Perrv 

Overflowing  stove  .. 

^ 80.00 

July  13 

161  St.  Antoine 

Overflowing  stove..  . . 

July  13 

83  Columbia  W 

318  Congress  E. 

Overflowing  stove  

September  12. 

Overflowing  stove  . 

September  17. 

67  Foundry 

Overflowing  stove  . 

September  19.. _ . 

771  Woodward 

Stove  explosion.  ... 

November  12..  . 

November  13.  .. 

1005  Vinewood ...  . 

60  Spruce  ..  ... 

Overflowing  stove. 

Overflowing  stove  . 

3,50.00 

Fatal  Burning  in  Kalamazoo. 

The  Detroit  Tribune  of  Nov.  18,  1890,  contained  the  following  paragraph: 

“ Kalamazoo,  Nov.  17,— Two  weeks  ago  Mrs.  Briggs  and  Miss  Nettie  Wildsmith  were  burned  by  an  explo- 
sion of  gasoline.  The  former  recovered,  but  the  latter  suffered  excrnciatingly  and  this  morning  died. 
She  was  20  years  old,’’ 

A letter  was  sent  from  this  office  to  Dr.  A.  B.  Cornell,  health  officer  of 
the  city  of  Kalamazoo,  asking  details  in  regard  to  this  casualty.  His  reply 
was  as  follows: 

“ Your  favor  in  rcigard  lo  death  of  Miss  Wildsmith  is  at  luind.  I have  made  a tliorough  examination  of 
the  case  and  find  as  follows:  Mrs.  Briggs  pnrchascjd  of  the  hardware  firm  of  C.  H.  Dickinson  a (luantity 
i>f  stx)vri  blacking,  composcid  of  pluinlxoio,  black  varninh.,  and  gasoline.  I am  told  that  the  firm  use 

this  to  black  their  stoves.  'I’hey  i)r(M>are  it  themselves.  The  way  the  accident  occurred  was  this.  Miss 
Wildsmith  was  i)nMmriug  the  l»lackingin  a jar  on  the  lauirth  of  the  stove,  in  which  there  was  a lire,  and 
was  stirring  tlie  gasolitm  into  the  mixt.nre  with  a j)oker  when  the  gasoline  explod(«l,  burning  her  to  death. 
It  was  like  till  similar  ctises  a pieioof  cartih'ssmtss,  though  1 think  the  sale  of  such  stuff  should  be  pre- 
venbMl  by  hiw.  riiough  l,lmni  might  not,  luivtt  b(>en  any  harm  done  in  canTid  hands,  or  in  the  hands  of  the 
dttaler.  'I’litire  itvalso  another  kind  sold  by  all  d(>al(as  tliat  has  turpentine  and  oil  in  it.,  * * * which  1 
am  t)f  opinioti  is  dangerous  to  public  health,  through  just  such  carelessmws  as  the  abovt'.” 


INJURIES  AND  LOSSES  BY  GASOLINE  IN  MICHIGAN  IN  mX).  271 


A Man  Fatally  Burned  at  Oioosso. 

The  Detroit  Evening  News,  of  Nov.  29,  1890,  contained  the  following: 

“ Owosso,  Mich.,  Nov.  29.— John  A.  Chapman  was  boiled  to  a jelly  in  a gasoline  tank  at  the  gas  works 
last  night.  He  was  a new  man,  and  went  near  the  vat  with  a lighted  lantern.  A terrific  explosion  fol- 
lowed, and  the  unfortunate  Chapman  fell  into  the  burning,  boiling  oil  and  remained  there  until  this 
morning. 

“ The  explosion  happened  about  6 o’clock  and  shook  the  whole  city.  A tlarae  shot  100  feet  into  the  air. 
Soon  a second  report  was  heard  and  fire  burst  from  an  adjacent  tank.  The  two  blazed  furiously,  bril- 
liantly lighting  the  town  and  country  round  about.  * * * 

“The  loss  to  the  company  will  be  about  !l;.5,000,  and  Owosso  will  be  in  total  darkness  until  the  plant  i.s 
repaired,  as  the  electric  light  works  will  not  commence  running  until  next  week.” 

In  response  to  a letter  of  inquiry  in  regard  to  this  casualty,  sent  from 
this  office,  to  Dr.  S.  S.  C.  Phippen,  health  officer  of  Owosso,  the  following 
letter,  dated  Dec.  7,  1890,  was  received: 

“ Your  letter  received  and  in  answer  I would  say  that  I have  enclosed  a clipping  from  the  ‘ Shiawassee 
American,’  printed  here,  and  which  gives  a very  good  description  of  the  explosion.  It  is  a better  one 
than  I could  get  up  myself,  although  I hardly  think  the  theory  advanced  as  to  the  cause  of  it  is  correct, 
still  it  may  be.  The  cause  of  it  is  not  known  and  never  can  be  found  out.” 

Extracts  from  the  clipping  from  the  Shiawassee  American,”  referred 
to  by  Dr.  Phippen,  are  as  follows: 

“ Last  Friday  evening,  about  6:30,  the  entire  city  was  startled  by  a terrific  explosion  in  the  direction  of 
the  gas  works,  just  south  of  the  D.  & M.  depot,  and  instantly  a flame  shot  up  heavenward  to  a height  of 
nearly  seventy-five  feet,  indicating  that  the  explosion  was  at  the  gas  works.  The  effect  of  the  explosion 
was  felt  throughout  the  city  and  for  a long  distance  outside. 

“ The  fire  department  responded  with  great  promptness,  and  arriving  at  the  scene  found  that  the  two 
large  tanks  west  of  the  works  were  in  flames,  and  at  once  commenced  operations  to  save  the  building  and 
works  from  destruction.  Two  streams  were  sufficient  for  the  purpose,  which  were  kept  up  until  the  oil 
had  burned  out,  and  the  works  were  saved  with  but  little  damage  to  the  building,  and  no  stop  in  the 
supply  of  gas.  Mr.  O.  F.  Webster,  superintendent  of  the  works,  says  the  department  deserves  much 
credit  for  thus  saving  the  company’s  property. 

“ It  was  the  storage  tanks  for  naphtha  that  exploded.  These  tanks  were  about  forty  feet  west  of  the  gas 
works,  lying  parallel  extending  east  and  west,  and  were  in  a hole  dug  in  the  ground  for  the  purpose,  the 
one  on  the  north  side  projecting  about  two  feet  above  the  ground  and  the  other  but  a few  inches.  The 
tanks  were  of  3-16th  shell  with  half  inch  Iieads,  made  by  Reeves  & Co.,  of  Toledo,  Ohio.  They  were  30 
feet  long  and  eight  feet  in  diameter,  and  held  over  11,000  gallons  each.  The  tank  on  the  south  side  con- 
tained at  the  time  between  2,000  and  3,000  gallons  of  63  naphtha,  and  the  other  had  at  the  time  about  6,(X)0 
gallons.  The  latter  was  a new  tank  and  was  filled  that  day  for  the  fir.st  time.  There  was  no  cover  over 
the  tanks  at  the  time  Mr.  Webster  says  the  new  tank  was  absolutely  air  tight,  as  before  it  was  filled  it 
would  float  on  the  water  that  was  in  the  hole.  The  new  tank,  containing  the  largest  amount  of  naphtha, 
was  exploded  first.  The  manhole  to  this  tank  was  in  the  center  of  the  tank,  and  a few  inches  west  of  it 
was  a hole  just  large  enough  to  admit  a two-inch  pipe  to  connect  with  the  transportation  tank  on  the  car 
standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  tanks, 

“ Jonas  A.  Chapman,  the  engineer,  and  Charles  Sprout  were  in  charge  of  the  works  at  the  time.  * * * 

“ The  men  commenced  emptying  the  car  into  the  tank  about  3 o’clock  in  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  and 
about  two  hours  time  was  required  for  the  naphtha  to  run  through  into  hlie  tank,  and,  darkness  coming 
on.  Chapman  and  Sprout  decided  to  leave  it  until  morning  before  uncoupling  the  hose  connecting  the  car 
and  tank,  to  avoid  going  near  it  with  a light. 

“ Chapman’s  house  is  a few  rods  directly  west  of  the  tanks  and  a beaten  path  ran  along  the  north  side 
of  and  close  to  the  tanks  from  the  house  to  the  w'orks,  and  Chapman’s  son,  aged  about  18  years,  went  to 
call  his  father  to  supper,  carrying lantern,  and  in  passing  the  tanks  found  a board  sticking  out  of  the 
hole  somewhat  obstructing  the  path,  and  he  stopped  and  pushed  it  down  into  the  hole  beside  the  tank,  so 
his  father  would  net  run  against  it.  He  says  he  was  there  at  least  two  minutes  with  his  lantern,  and  after 
calling  his  father  passed  back  to  the  house.  His  father  told  him  he  would  go  to  the  house  in  a few  min- 
utes to  get  his  supper  and  get  ready  to  go  to  Corunna  to  attend  lodge.  The  boy  had  been  in  the  house  but 


272  STATE  BOARD  OE  HEA LTD.— REP( )RT  OE  SEORSTARV,  181)1. 


H few  minutes  when  the  explosion  occurred.  Mr.  Nichols,  liviiiK  near,  says  (’hapman  came  out  of  tlio 
works  with  a lantern  in  his  left  hand,  and  locked  the  door,  and  he  called  to  him  to  ko  with  him  to  the  OdH 
Fellows’  lodge  that  evening  and  walked  over  to  near  Chapman,  but  the  latter  said  he  was  going  to  Cor- 
unna and  asked  Nichols  to  go  with  him,  but  N.  said  he  could  not  go.  Chapman  was  then  near  the  cormu 
of  the  building,  and  said  he  must  hurry  to  get  ready  to  go,  and  Nichols  started  for  his  home  and  had  gone 
only  about  ten  rods  when  the  explosion  occurred. 

“Chapman’s  lantern  was  found,  considerably  bruised  and  the  globe  and  bail  broken  out,  about  25  feer 
southwest  of  the  tanks  and  his  cap  lying  between  the  lantern  and  tanks.  After  the  oil  had  burned  out 
his  body  was  found  about  11  p,  m.  in  the  pit  on  the  north  side  of  the  tank  within  about  two  feet  of  the 
west  end,  his  head  toward  the  west.  Mr.  Sprout  found  the  body,  and  assisted  by  the  firemen,  took  it  out . 
and  Coroner  Baldwin  held  an  inquest.  The  left  side  of  his  face  was  burned  and  the  hair  slightly  burned 
from  the  left  side  of  his  head,  and  his  mustache  was  all  burned  off  except  a little  on  the  right  side. 
Otherwise  the  body  was  not  burned  or  boiled,  as  erroneously  stated  in  dispatches  sent  out,  the  water  in. 
the  pit  and  which  ran  in  from  the  streams  thrown  by  the  fire  department  preventing  the  body  from  being 
entirely  burned  up.  » * * 

“ Mr.  Webster’s  theory  of  the  accident  is  that  Chapman,  who  had  complained  during  the  day  of  a severr* 
headache,  on  going  to  his  house  accidentally  stepped  or  slipped  into  the  hole  beside  the  tank,  and  in  fall- 
ing naturally  threw  up  his  hands,  and  having  the  lantern  in  his  left  hand  it  struck  the  tank  very  hard, 
breaking  the  globe,  and  the  light  coming  in  contact  with  some  naphtha  that  may  have  been  on  the  tank . 
slopped  over  from  filling,  ignited  it,  and  instantly  penetrated  the  tank.  The  tank  on  the  south  side 
exploded  soon  after.  The  concussion  of  course  killed  Chapman  instantly. 

A Woman  Hatally  Burned  at  Weston. 

The  following  paragraph  appeared  in  the  Detroit  “Evening  Journal”  (jf 
Nov.  26,  1890: 

“ Weston,  Mich.,  Nov.  26.— Maria  Mead,  a widow  living  over  H.  P.  Tolford’s  store,  set  her  clothing  on 
fire  last  evening,  while  lighting  a gasoline  stove,  and  died  a few  hours  after.  She  leaves  two  young  son.s. 
Mr.  Tolford  was  badly  burned  in  his  efforts  to  rescue  Mrs.  Mead.’’ 

Dr.  F.  W.  Essig,  health  officer  of  Fairfield  township,  Lenawee  county, 
where  Weston  is  situated,  was  written  to  from  this  office  for  further  par- 
ticulars relative  to  this  casualty.  His  reply,  dated  Dec.  10,  1890,  was  as 
follows : 

“ 1 will  state  that  I was  called  in  great  haste  on  the  eve  of  Nov.  26  (1  think)  about  6 o’clock,  to  attend 
Mrs.  Mead.  I learned  the  following:  It  seems  she  filled  the  cup  of  the  generator  to  her  gasoline  stove  to 
overflowing.  She  then  lit  it  and  took  a cloth  to  wipe  up  what  had  run  over.  The  fire  dropping  on  the 
cloth  set  it  afire.  She  then  tried  to  put  it  out  with  her  apron,  which  in  turn  caught  fire.  She  ttien 
))Hcame  frightened  and  ran  down  stairs,  and  seeing  the  door  to  Mr.  H.  B.  Tolford’s  store  open  started  to 
go  in,  but  was  stopped.  Mr.  Stolford  then  ran  up  stairs  and  got  a blanket  and  wrapped  her  in  it.  Before 
he  got  down,  however,  some  one  l)ad  torn  her  clothes  partly  off.  It  was  at  this  time  that  I was  called.  I 
ordered  fier  taken  to  her  brother’s,  one  Jndson  Schomp,  where  she  died  four  hours  later.  About  two- 
(hirdsof  t)ie  entire  surface  of  her  body  was  burned,  the  worse  being  her  hands,  abdomen,  inner  surface 
of  )ier  thighs,  hyjjochondriac  and  et)iguHtric  regions.” 


h\ital  Hurniiuj  of  a Wdrman  in  Bruce  Township.  Not  Causeji  by 

(iasoline. 

Tlui  Detroit  TrilmiK'  of  April  22,  1890,  luid  the  following  paragraph: 

“ ItoriKU),  April  21.  'I’wenf y-y*«ir  old  Mrs.  Hchoultz  t ried  to  liglit  a lire  by  using  gasoline  this  morning 
and  will  die  probiil)ly  as  a result.  'I’lu're  was  an  immediate  explosion  and  the  flames  sot  fire  to  Mrs. 
Hrh<»iiltz’s  clothing.  She  screamed  for  helii,  lad  was  horribly  burned  before  the  lire  was  put  out  by 
frlemls,  who  tiished  to  her  rescue.” 

II  apjx’/irs  from  tlii^  followiiiL?  IcIltM'  from  I )r.  John  V>.  l‘'7ireB,  hcaltli 
officfr  of  the  \ illago  of  liomco,  Macoml)  county,  who  was  written  to  for 


CASUALTIES  DUE  TO  NAPHTHA  IN  MICHIGAN  IN  1890. 


273 


particulars  relative  to  this  casualty,  that  it  was  not  attributable  to  the  use 
of  gasoline.  Dr.  Fares  wrote  to  this  office  April  23,  1890,  as  follows: 

“ The  particulars  in  regard  to  the  accidental  burning  of  Mrs.  Etta  May  Sharfe,  a lady  21  years  of  age, 
are  as  follows:  She  was  serving  as  a domestic  in  the  family  of  Orlando  N.  Devereaux,  who  lives  in  the 
township  of  Bruce,  just  outside  the  village  limits.  She  had  nearly  completed  the  washing  and  was  draw- 
ing water  from  the  washing  machine  and  emptying  it  with  a pail.  The  stove  had  a low  hearth,  and  it  is 
supposed  the  skirt  of  her  dress  caught  fire  by  actual  contact  with  the  wood  fire  which  had  been  lighted  in 
the  early  morning,  but  with  ordinary  wood  kindling,  no  gasoline  ever  having  been  used  in  the  house.  She 
ran  some  fifty  or  sixty  rods,  seeming  bewildered;  in  short,  her  clothing  all  burned  from  her  body,  and  she 
died  in  twelve  hours.  l)r.  Greenshields  was  called  to  the  case. 

“ This  occurred  on  Monday,  the  2l8t  inst.” 


CASUALTIES  CONSEQUENT  ON  THE  USE  OF  NAPHTHA  IN 
MICHIGAN,  CALENDAE  YEAE  1890. 


During  the  year  1890,  there  were  reported  to  the  office  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  State  Board  of  Health  four  casualties  in  the  State,  caused  by  the 
use  of  naphtha,  with  consequent  damage  to  property  amounting  to  $50.00. 

Three  of  the  above-mentioned  casualties  occurred  in  the  city  of  Detroit, 
as  shown  in  the  following  list,  and  one  in  the  city  of  Owosso.  Of  this 
latter  casualty  we  have  no  detail  other  than  the  fact  that  a fire  was  caused 
by  an  explosion  of  naphtha. 


List  of  Casualties  Consequent  on  the  use  of  Naphtha,  m Detroit,  Calendar  year  1890. 
{Supplied  by  William  H.  Baxter,  Fire  Marshal  in  Detroit.) 


Date. 

Street  and  No. 

Nature  of  casualty. 

Amount 

of 

damage. 

Feb.  21 

1 

215  Gratiot... 

Using  stove  blacking  while  fire  was  burning 

May  20 

160  Fourth 

Vapor  ignited 

June  16 

Wight 

Gas  at  varnish  works  took  fire 

$50  00 

35 


